[INSPO] Star Wars: What Would The Imperials Wear?

Ever wonder what your favourite Star Wars characters might wear if they dressed in our planet’s high fashion looks? Yeah, us too. In the first of what will be several posts, we’ve taken a prominent group in the Star Wars universe and looked through the Pre-Fall 2013 styles to see what those characters might wear. First up: everyone’s favourite Galactic Empire.

Most of what we see in terms of clothing from the Empire in the films is their uniforms, which are obviously militaristic and which also tend towards more drab colours. No bright colours here except for the Imperial Guard, of course. With this in mind, I looked for both a specific colour palette and also for the looks that didn’t flaunt the ruffles that were popular this season. (Vader vetoed their addition to the uniform.) The darker and militaristic results would be fabulous additions to the wardrobe of any female Imperial officer nonetheless.

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Let’s start out with some basics. Obviously, the Imperials have to go to work, but why does their wardrobe have to be limited to uniforms when they have Nina Ricci, Michael Kors, and Proenza Schouler:

Of course, you can never go wrong with a smartly cut jacket like this one from St. John:

The Emperor doesn’t keep his military officers on duty all the time so more casual looks are a wardrobe must! Rachel Zoe offers a harder, edgier look, while Sonia Rykiel is a bit more relaxed and easy going:

Of course, even the Empire can’t be serious all the time. Even they hit the town on occasion, perhaps in this sexy look from BCBG.

To suit its more whimsical side, Thom Browne offers this cute grey look with its full skirt and adorable jacket.

The Imperials certainly wouldn’t go wanting when it comes to outerwear. Check out these two sharp numbers from Gucci and Chado Ralph Rucci, and also this easy looking poncho from John Paul Gaultier. (We hear the Gaultier number is Endor approved.)

It’s been proven impossible for me to wrap up these sorts of posts without some fabulous dress, so we’ll let Reema Acra play us out with this sparkly little black number.

Hello! This post just focuses on rank-and-file uniforms, but if you’re interested in seeing the upper echelon done — let us know and we would be happy to oblige.

Also: we all have our personal tastes, and every designer has both good and bad things to offer. It would be nice if you could respect that, especially because others have responded positively to the designers featured within.

I firmly think that the only American designer that should be featured for Imperial rank-and-file uniforms could maybe be the minimal Calvin Klein and Donna Karan silhouettes of the 90s and 00s. Proenza Schouler for nights out though, definitely. But the inspiration for the OT aesthetic was meant to be (unoriginally) Nazi-looking, so I’d point to European designers, especially with an architectural flair. Haider Ackermann, especially, since the PT showed that Palpatine had some interest in what would be considered “oriental” (for the Galaxy) personal style in dress and decor.